Energy Drinks: Ergolytic or Ergogenic?

International Journal of Exercise Science 5(3) : 214-222, 2012. Despite the growing popularity of energy drinks, many do not realize the negative effects on the cardiovascular system. The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of energy drink ingestion on estimated VO2max, heart rate (HR), systolic and diastolic BP (SBP and DBP, respectively), rate pressure product (RPP), and RPE at rest and during exercise. Seven healthy adults (age: 24.3 ± 3.5 yrs; body mass: = 66.0 ± 2.2 kg) participated in this randomized double blind, crossover study. Subjects ingested a placebo (PL) or Redline (RL) energy drink (240ml; 250 mg caffeine) 40 minutes before maximal graded exercise test (GXT). Estimated maximal oxygen consumption (VO2max) was lower in the RL trial (37.9±5.7 ml∙kg-1∙min-1) compared to the PL trial (39.7±6.5 ml∙kg-1∙min-1; P= 0.02). Although no significant differences were noted for the number of ectopic beats (ETB) between the trials, a five to one ratio for the RL and PL existed (RL = 106 total ectopic beats; PL = 21 total ectopic beats). Sub-maximal exercise heart demand (RPP: systolic BP x HR) at the same workload was considerably higher in the RL trial (224.9 ± 39.9 mmHg∙bts∙min-1; P=0.04) compared to PL (195.8 ± 22.9 mmHg∙bts∙min-1). Recovery DBP was significantly higher at one min. in the RL trial (51.6 ± 25.1 mmHg) compared to PL (25.4 ± 33.8 mmHg; P=0.05). Based on the results of this study, it was determined that energy drinks lowered estimated VO2max while elevating RPP and recovery DBP

Agility Measures Related to Game Performance of NCAA Baseball Pitchers

Like most kinetic chains in athletic performance, the baseball pitching motion begins with the muscles of the legs and continues progressively through the torso, shoulders, and arms. Similarities are noted between the baseball pitching motion and the kinetic chain employed in agility tests that involve acceleration, deceleration, and change of direction measures of agility. Purpose: The purpose of this investigation was to determine pre-season agility in NCAA pitchers and to relate these measures to regular season pitching performance. Methods: NCAA Division II pitchers (n=10, age 20.2 ± 1.9 yrs., weight 83.8 ± 10.3 kg, height 1.85 ± 0.48 m) volunteered as study subjects. A previously described laser-timed 60-yd shuttle run (“JJ Shuttle”) provided average speeds for four contiguous agility segments (S1, S2, S3, and S4 of 10, 10, 20, and 20 yds., respectively), as well as Total Shuttle Run (TSR). Statistical measures obtained from regular season games (n=48), including Runs (R), Hits (H), Earned Runs (ER), Base-on-Balls (BB), and Strikeouts (SO), each normalized for innings pitched, provided evidence of game pitching performance. Pearson’s Correlation Coefficient determined the relationship of average agility speeds to pitching performance. Results: Analysis identified significant correlations (p\u3c.05) between S1, S2, and TSR and normalized SO (r=0.77, r=0.73, and r=0.87, respectively); S3 and S4 were insignificant (r=0.42 and r=0.59, respectively). Additionally, a significant correlation (p\u3c.05) was identified between S3 and BB (r=0.67). Conclusion: Results of this study suggest that better agility may lead to selected improvements in game performance in NCAA Division II baseball pitchers

The Effects of Innovative Shotgun Shooting Methods on Collegiate Shotgun Shooters

Sporting activities are classified according to movement demands and can be categorized as either dynamic or static actions. Many events exist within the discipline of “shooting sports”, and dynamic and static demands vary drastically among those events. However, consideration for differences in movement demands is frequently disregarded in shooting sports; common practice protocol encourages shooters to utilize static shooting techniques for all shooting sport events. In particular, shooting techniques for shotgun shooting, a dynamic sporting event, regularly align with rifle shooting (static activity) methods. Innovative dynamic shotgun shooting techniques have recently been developed, however, no previous studies have examined the outcomes of employing these dynamic techniques. Therefore, the current research investigated the effects of innovative shotgun shooting methods on collegiate shotgun shooters (n=38). Pre and post trap and skeet scores were collected at a certified International Shooting Sport Federation and USA Shooting competition field. Upon completion of pre-test shooting, subjects participated in an Optimum Shooting Performance (OSP) intervention that outlined innovative dynamic shooting and practice techniques. Post-test shooting scores were collected after 2-weeks of OSP practice. A paired sample t test identified statistically significant improvements for trap shooting scores (t[32] = 2.82, p = .008, 95% CI [0.431, 2.660], d = .49), skeet shooting scores (t[32] = 2.59, p = .01, 95% CI [0.436, 3.625], d = .45), and total shooting (sum score of trap and skeet tests) scores (t[32] = 3.37, p = .002, 95% CI [1.417, 5.734], d = .59). These results suggest that learning and utilizing the OSP methods significantly increased the shooting performance of college shotgun shooters

The JJ Shuttle and In-Game Defensive Basketball Performance for Collegiate Male Players

Agility is widely considered an important skill related fitness component in the game of basketball. Players are tasked to execute successful and efficient accelerations, sprints, abrupt stops, quick changes of direction, varying vertical jumps, and many times a combination of these motor skills. Agility can greatly impact the skills required for an athlete to excel on the court. The purpose of this study was to investigate how the agility of basketball players affected their in-game performance during regular season conference contests. The subjects (N = 10) in this study were members of a collegiate men’s basketball team. Agility of the subjects were measured using the JJ Shuttle which produces four segment times and a total time. These five shuttle times were compared for correlation to their in-game performance during regular season conference play. Performance measures of interest were steals, blocks, and defensive rebounds. A Pearson Correlation was conducted between the JJ Shuttle time segments and total time and the steals, blocks, and defensive rebounds of each player. There was a positive correlation between the duration of Segment 3 of the JJ Shuttle and the number of blocks (r = 0.65, p \u3c 0.05). The results of this study suggest the agility of male collegiate basketball players, as measured by the JJ Shuttle, does not have a strong correlation and is a poor predictor of the in-game performance of steals, blocks, and defensive rebounds. It is suggested that future studies increase the sample size and expand the subject parameters to determine a more holistic representation of this relationship

A Review of Early Sport Specialization in Relation to the Development of a Young Athlete

Background: The overall physical and psychological development of a young athlete is crucial for the enjoyment of physical activity for a lifetime. Children, as well as parents, tend to focus on individual accomplishment in sport despite any other aspect of physical development or appropriate training. Objective: the pressure to excel in sport has all too often brought about negative consequences through specialization at an early age. Method: A review and commentary report on the impact of early sport specialization on the physical and psychological development of a young athlete. Conclusion: A long-term, activity and age-appropriate developmental model is essential to those involved in training young athletes. Sport specialization may be appropriate in unique situations but only after the development of specific skills, abilities, and psychological maturity. As sport professionals, parents and coaches should be educated the pros/cons of early sport specialization. Ultimately, the focus on sport participation should be to increase physical activity, psychological development, and appreciation for a lifetime.

The Impact of Kinetic Energy Factors on Pitching Performance of NCAA Baseball Players

Kinetic energy is established by a mathematical equation involving the mass of an object and the speed at which the object travels, and is a relevant measure in regards to athletic performance due to frequent transfer of energy during sport (i.e. athlete to athlete (tackling), athlete to object (throwing), object to object (tennis/baseball hitting)). Previous research has utilized the 60-yd run-shuttle to examine kinetic energy factors (k-factor) of difference sports, recognizing significant differences in energy capability between gender, sport teams, and individual sport positions. The utilization of k-factor, pertaining to baseball, has distinguished significant positional (i.e. infielder, outfielder, catcher, pitcher) differences. However, the predictive influence of k-factors on in-game baseball performance necessitates further examination. PURPOSE: Analyzing the impact of k-factor on the pitching performance of NCAA baseball pitchers was the purpose of the current investigation. METHODS: NCAA pitchers (n=10, age 20.2 ± 1.9 yrs., weight 83.8 ± 10.3 kg, height 1.85 ± 0.48 m) completed a laser timed 60-yd run-shuttle, which yielded average k-factor scores for four contiguous agility segments (K1, K2, K3, and K4 of 10, 10, 20, and 20 yds., respectively), as well as Total Average K-Factor (Kavg). In-game performance was recorded upon the completion of the regular season, and included: Earned Runs Average (ERA), Win (W), Loss (L), Appearances (APP), Games Started (GS), Innings Pitched (IP), Runs (R), Hits (H), Earned Runs (ER), Base-on-Balls (BB), Strikeouts (SO), and Opponent Batting Average (B/AVE), measures normalized for innings pitched were R, H, ER, BB, and SO. To assess the impact of k-factor on pitching performance, backwards stepwise multiple linear regression analyses were employed. RESULTS: Results from the multiple linear regressions indicate that k-factor will yield significant prediction models (P\u3c0.05) for each of the following dependent variables: W, GS, and SO/I. Average k-factor accounted for 50% of the variance in GS (R2 = 0.50; SEE = 3.1 games), and 41% of the variance in W (R2 = 0.41; SEE = 1.5 wins), while K1, K2, and Kavg yielded a model that accounted for 78% of the variance (R2 = 0.78; SEE = 0.1) in SO/I. K-Factor did not produce a significant prediction model for ERA, L, APP, IP, H/I, R/I, ER/I, BB/I, or B/AVE. CONCLUSION: These results suggest elevated k-factor scores, or a pitchers capability to proficiently transfer energy during agility drills, contribute to improvements of in-game baseball pitching performance

Kinesiology in the Archives

Learning about and participating in archival research is often absent from research methodology courses within the kinesiology field. However, scholars have found that there are several benefits associated with conducting archival research, such as students increasing their critical thinking skills, social responsibility, and campus connection. The purpose of the research project was to analyze if kinesiology students (N = 7) participating in a semester long external, non-coursework, archival research project experienced a shift in their overall views of the field of kinesiology and archival research as a methodology